Mayor Gray wanted to redirect Performance Parking Funds from non-automotive transportation projects to WMATA. In the past PPF money has paid for bike racks and bikeshare docks among other things. The council pushed back on this and half the money over "baseline" will go to the buses. "The budget also takes steps to restore the pedestrian and bicycle enhancement fund, which pays for a number of smaller pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure projects."

"There’s plenty of bike parking around Nationals Park, including Capital Bikeshare stations and a bike valet in the garage on the northeast side of the stadium. "

The Patch has details on the College Park bike share stations. "According to the city's grant application, four of the College Park stations will be located on the UMd. campus: Regents Drive parking garage, Stamp Student Union, McKeldin Library and the Eppley Recreation Center. The remaining four will be installed at the College Park Metro Station, downtown near the Knox Road and U.S. Route 1 intersection, The Varsity student apartments and the Hollywood Shopping Center. A total of 64 bikes will be available, according to the grant application." It could be online within a year. Bicycle Bug asks if the stations are well placed.

Mike Madden argues that Gray, policy-wise, isn't that different from Fenty and that includes bike lanes. That may be true, but when I look at what Gabe Klein is doing in Chicago, I sure miss him (and that is not a slam on Terry Bellamy, who seems to be doing a fine job). DeBonis quotes Gray saying about car/bike conflicts "We've got to recognize we're changing the culture in this city, and we have to stick with it."

When done the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail in DC and the Anacostia Tributary Trails in Maryland will connect to one another to create a 60 mile trail network, arguably the region's most extensive. Last week a new section was formally opened to much fanfare and it was announced that work that would close the gap between the two systems would begin in 2012. In addition work continues on four other sections in the District, with the next ribbon cutting two weeks away.

The section that was celebrated last week was a 1.5 mile section from Bladensburg Park to a dead-end just north of US-50.

The trail consists mostly of a winding section along the river, much of which was finished three years ago as part of the Wilson Bridge Project, as well as a new connection to Kenilworth Avenue via Lloyd Street. Despite its limited utility, the ceremony attracted a lengthy list of prominent officials including cabinet secretaries, a governor and a senator. This list isn't even complete as there were several state legislators and county and local officials there as well. I even saw Tommy Wells there. The ceremony was about more than just the trail - or even the future promise of the completed trail- though. It was also about the restoration of the river and access to the state's $9.2 million 50-acre Anacostia Wetland Mitigation Project - paid for, at least in part, by the Wilson Bridge Project. [If you ride the trail, you'll see this on the southern end between the trail and the river. Go off trail,and on foot, and climb the hill it created for a pretty good view of the area. The view won't last once trees grow in.]

the restoration of the Anacostia River Watershed and the development of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail has twice been identified as a priority project for the Obama administration under the President’s America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) initiative and the Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP). Both initiatives seek to reconnect Americans to the great outdoors and revitalize urban waterways in underserved communities across the country.

It was also an opportunity for Democrats and the Obama administration to contrast themselves, and their support for these kinds of projects, against Republicans who want to cut funding for infrastructure and biking in particular.

"The Anacostia River Trail is a great example of the lasting benefits transportation projects can bring to a community by connecting people to jobs and schools, encouraging economic development, and protecting the environment," said Secretary LaHood. "The Obama Administration is committed to working with our community partners to build great projects like this that provide people with affordable and green transportation options."

“Connecting people and communities is what the Anacostia River Trail, like the Anacostia River itself, is all about,” said Senator Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Water and Wildlife Subcommittee. “I’m proud to support federal investments that bring together the people of Maryland and the District of Columbia with each other, local economic opportunities and America’s Great Outdoors. Federal dollars are tight right now, so it is important that we invest in the right places, like here on the Anacostia River, to help make our local communities more livable and more economically viable.”

“It’s truly exciting to see the penultimate segment completed in one of the Nation’s largest trail networks,” said DOT Deputy Secretary John D. Porcari. “Let’s redouble our efforts to complete the last link in the District of Columbia and maximize the benefits of this magnificent system for bikers, walker and commuters throughout the region.”

Gov. O'Malley announced that the trail would be expanded south into DC starting late next year, and that Maryland will commit $1million towards that goal.

"The new section we’re opening today is a great start, but together with our partners in the District and in federal government, we are committed to completing the entire trail. We look forward to breaking ground in 2012.”

Once complete, the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail Network will offer nearly 60 miles of contiguous trails – including 39 miles in Maryland and 20 miles in the District of Columbia.

Project design on the new section will be complete this summer, but that isn't all.

With more than $25 million invested, 12 of 20 miles are complete, including segments linking Diamond Teague Park, the Pumphouse, the Yards, Navy Yard, RFK Stadium, River Terrace and Anacostia Park. The rest are in planning, design or under construction in coordination with the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. DOT and other agencies.

There are five other sections currently under construction, including the Maine Avenue section, the two Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Bridges, the 11th Street Bridge and the bridge between Yards Park and Diamond Teague Park, which opens in two weeks.

The official dedication of the new pedestrian bridge connecting the Yards Park and Diamond Teague Park will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 1:30 pm. The mayor is expected to be there, along with George Hawkins of DC Water (since the bridge runs right past the main pumping station) and I'm sure a slew of other dignitaries.

Maine Avenue was supposed to be completed in October, so we can assume that is close. The two FRP bridges should be open by spring 2012, and the 11th Street Bridge is targeted for July 2013. That will leave 6 more sections to complete, including the one that connects to the trail opened last week.

If you'd like to see some of the event, there is video here and here. And here is some more video below

New York City - Men continue to make up the majority of cyclists in New York City - more so than in other cities. “Within the United States, New York is far behind in terms of the percentage of women cyclists compared to cities like Washington, D.C., and San Francisco,” said John Pucher, a professor of planning and transportation at Rutgers University who is working on a book about global cycling trends. “I’m convinced that one of the reasons New York City has such a low percentage of women cyclists is that it’s dangerous.” I also think there are just more women in DC. On the Times blog, one writer postulates that it has more to do with how friendly the transit is to cyclists. JSK replies to the Times "female bike ridership is actually increasing at a faster rate than male ridership" and criticizes them for looking only at bike commuting, which represents only 18% of bike trips in NYC. Author Sue Macy adds a story from the 1890's that shows just how far women have come. “We regret to see that cycling has at least one woman who so far forgets her own self-respect as to make a public exhibition of herself for the jeers of street gamins and the jibes of corner loafers.”

Also Ray Deter, owner of the beer bar d.b.a died after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle.

Also, cyclists have gained access to a previously off-limits shortcut across Central Park on an experimental basis, but the speed limit will be 5mph.

Rhode Island - Republican Senate hopeful Barry Hinckley is biking to every city and town in Rhode Island to kick off his campaign. "He will ride a Heron bicycle — American-made, he is quick to point out. His 11-year-old daughter, Sasha, is planning to ride the full 35-mile loop with him through eight cities and towns. Hinckley hopes [Democratic Sen. Whitehouse] will come along on one of the rides.

Also, the state is opening a new on-road route that connects the Blackstone River Bikeway with the East Bay Bike Path

Jacksonville, NC - A child fell off his bike and broke his leg after hitting a pothole. Now the family is suing the DOT.

Chicago - A youth program tries to keep young men and women off the streets by teaching them bike repair.

Milwaukee - Bike polo continues to grow in popularity. But it won't arrive until it's in the X Games. "Other cities — such as Lexington, Ky., Milwaukee and Washington, D.C. — have been granted space to play from their cities, ranging from worn down tennis or basketball courts to a large enough area for three courts and lights that keep the pickup games going late into the evening."

United States - Nancy Folbre makes an argument for bike infrastructure at the NYT. I would have liked to see more numbers. If you're going to make an economic argument, tell me what the dividend is. Of course, I agree, but it wouldn't convince me if I'd never read anything about it before.

Children who live in low-income homes, with single-parents and in cities are more likely than other children to walk or cycle to school, according to a new study. Also, having friends nearby, having friends who walk or bike and having pedestrian crossings increases the likelihood that one walks or bikes to school. Finally there is a connection between a child's weight and whether or not they bike or walk to school.

Request for comment-disproving photos please "A circulator bus can take you from the station to Adams Morgan faster or you can also utilize the city's rental bike share, but try doing that in high heels for a night on the town."

Georgetown is one of three schools with no cars on campus. "Georgetown, for instance, does not allow students who live on campus to have cars there, though the school's Washington, D.C., location allows access to a vast public transportation system"

This year's bicycle crashes in Fairfax County. Can DC get something like this going? The fault breakdown is ugly (14 bicyclists and only 6 drivers). I'm intrigued by the cyclist who was "drunk in public" 34 minutes after the New Year. Weren't we all? And I'm curious about the cyclist who was at fault in a crash with a hit and run. Who did the running?

A post office and massive parking lot along the Capital Crescent Trail could soon become a mixed use residential project. Significant design features include... the tapering of the building toward Capital Crescent Trail, "so it wont create a large amount of mass on the trail itself," Hopefully the facility will open up to the trail treating it as an alternative front instead of fencing it off or presenting a blank wall. Ideally it would also provide a connection to Arlington Road, which when combined with the project between the CCT and Woodmont, would create a single trail alternative to Bethesda Avenue.

"When Russell Crowe was in town shooting “Body of Lies” in 2007, Drummond and Wilkins say, they pursued his car up Clara Barton Parkway in a chase with speeds that exceeded 85 mph. The actor ended up jumping out of the car and fleeing along the canal on a mountain bike that he pulled out of the trunk."

On behalf of the county's Bicycle and Trail Advisory Committee (BTAG), Eric Foster (head of transportation planning) and Fred Shaffer (the principal bike-ped planner) recommended the following priorities for the Baker Administration (quoting):

The creation of a bicycle and pedestrian coordinator position at the Department of Public Works and Transportation. This position will allow for the evaluation and incorporation of pedestrian and bicycle accommodations on new CIP projects and as routine maintenance occurs. This position would be comparable to existing positions at the District Department of Transportation and in Montgomery County. BTAG commends DPW&T for their continued work with M-NCPPC and BTAG, the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian priorities on the Joint Signature Letter, the completion of a successful and comprehensive Safe-Routes-to-School application, and operating efficiently despite severe financial constraints. However, the creation of this position will help to ensure that the needs of all roadway users are accommodated through all phases of facility design, construction, and maintenance.

The adoption of a Complete Streets Policy. The 2009 Approved Countywide Master Plan of Transportation included a Complete Streets Section that highlighted the need for accommodating all modes of transportation in new road construction or improvements. Incorporating the necessary accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists into roadway design will not only improve safety, but also ensure that opportunities are provided to make some trips by modes other than automobile. Although not feasible for all trips, non-motorized trips can be most effectively utilized around transit stations, within existing established communities, and around schools. BTAG supports the adoption of the complete streets policy by the county that is based on the Approved Countywide Master Plan of Transportation and ensures that these improvements are considered and incorporated into road improvements and new road construction as funding allows.

The provision of designated bike lanes along county roads where right-of-way permits as standard resurfacing or restriping occur. This step would allow for the implementation of the ApprovedCountywide Master Plan of Transportation through routine maintenance.

The analysis of bicycle and pedestrian facility needs created by new development through the transportation adequate public facilities test. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities should be evaluated for these needs just as automobile facilities currently are.

The development of a policy on shared-lane markings and “Bikes May Take Full Lane” signs (R4-11). The 2009 edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) includes guidance on additional treatments for accommodating bicycles safely along public roads. These newly endorsed techniques included shared lane markings and the R4-11 signs. BTAG recommends that the county develop a policy for utilizing these treatments in appropriate locations.

The letter added that the recommendations were originally formulated at an meeting last October, after Mr. Baker had won the primary election. In the following months, the recommendations were refined and reviewed to ensure that they represented M-NCPPC policy.

In most jurisdictions, an open letter from a local agency recommending an agenda to the County Executive would be unusual. But in Prince Georges County, transportation planning is conducted by the bi-county M-NCPPC which is independent of the county government. Mr. Baker's transition team has suggested moving the bike-ped mission from M-NCPPC to the county government. In an article last month, this author questioned the wisdom of transferring the planning function from a forward-looking agency to an agency that has always placed driver convenience above bicycle and pedestrian safety.

The consensus among planners and advocates is that Prince George's County should build capacity at the Department of Public Works and Transportation, not tear it down at M-NCPPC.

(Jim Titus is a member of BTAG and the Board of Directors of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association. The views expressed herein do not represent the officials opinions of WABA or BTAG.)

No amendment directly targeted the transportation enhancements program. An amendment that would cut funding for the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund, which funds some trails, was defeated by a “nail-biting” 213-216 vote, with 32 Republicans voting against the cuts.

Podium - ICYMI, Alberto Contador = cleared of charges. Meanwhile Lance Armstrong has retired again, and this time he means it. I place his return from retirement as better than Brett Favre's and Michael Jordan's 2nd but not Jordan's 1st. Massive understatement award:

Lance came back in to do two things: raise awareness for his foundation and cancer victims by putting the issue on the world stage, which was tremendously successful; and to win the Tour de France again, which turned out to be a lot harder than he thought.

What will he do now

Armstrong, 39, will also announce that he will co-chair a campaign for the California Cancer Research Act initiative, which would fund cancer research by adding $1 to the price of a pack of cigarettes in the Golden State, the adviser said.

If he doesn't go to prison, I expect him to run for Governor of Texas, which he'll win, but not without allegations that he cheated.

Podium - The guy from "Third Rock from the Sun" and the girl from "Real World: San Diego" are starring in a movie about "a New York City bike messenger who is pursued by a dirty cop." It's called Premium Rush and is set to come out in 2012.

Maillot Vert: In favor of bicycling facilities. Speaking of which, the proposed Portland-Milawaukie light rail will feature a parallel bike path, and where the bike path crosses the Willamette River, they're thinking about a "sonic bike path". It's not a tube that pushes you at near sonic speeds, but rather grooved pavement that plays Simon and Garfunkle's "Feelin' Groovy" as a bicycle rides over it. I like the idea, but I have to wonder about the state of art when they're stealing from car commercials. Also, Chicago is planning a sweet flyover bridge to deal with a lakeshore drive chokepoint.

Maillot a Pois Rouge: As the Fabulous T-Birds asked, ain't that tough enough?

[The] bill failed amid concerns from Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, that it mandated to people what they could and couldn't do.

Isn't that what laws do?

Anyway, speaking of safety, hybrid cars really are a risk because of how quiet they are, (and because soccer moms drive like maniacs?)

the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which found that hybrid vehicles were involved in “significantly” more collisions than vehicles with internal combustion engines, under certain circumstances.

Lanterne Rouge: During NYC's crack down on scofflaw cycling, a man was issued a ticket for riding without a helmet, which is not illegal. Also, NYPD is ticketing cyclist who run red lights in Central Park even when the roads are closed to cars. Those tickets carry the same fine as for those for drivers ($270). So when you're doing your crackdown at a time and place that only cyclists can ride, that would be targeting.

Caroline Samponaro, Transportation Alternative’s director of bicycle advocacy, says, "Police enforcement of the most dangerous behaviors on the loop drive is important. However, reports to Transportation Alternatives in recent weeks all sound like the NYPD is undertaking a ticket blitz, targeting bicyclists only, rather than targeting the most reckless behaviors that endanger walkers and fellow riders. This lack of discretion undermines the type of enforcement needed to make our streets safer.

"At a recent meeting to discuss the loop drive in Central Park, safe cycling advocates proposed flashing yellow traffic signals during car-free hours. The park is open to car traffic for only a handful of hours each day, but the rules for cars are in effect 24/7. It’s time to institute more rational regulations that serve the safety, exercise and transportation needs of the supermajority of people who use the park on foot and bicycle."

And NYC wishes they had bike racks on their buses like DC does. Don't they....Don't they...